Fritz Helder & The Phantoms presented Platinum: Live at the Red Bull Gallery Space. The event was hosted by Nelly Furtado and celebrated the band’s forthcoming release *Greatest Hits*, which comes out on Furtado’s newly launched, Nelstar Music on July 7, 2009. The party was billed as:

an intimate, invitation only event that will bring together the best and the brightest in music, fashion, television and other media. The showcase will be hosted by Furtado and feature a live full concert performance and installation from FH&TP featuring stage costumes by Greta Constantine and all-star pre (and post) shows with surprise special guest DJs. “Platinum Edition” will also feature a concept boutique with designs by the band’s favorite local design talent. Designers confirmed to participate in creating these one-of-kind pieces are: Greta Constantine, Jeremy Laing, Tommy Ton (of Jak&Jil.com), Oligarchy, Label, Nada Designs, Franke for Chasse Gardée, Jaime Galindo and Hoibo. Fritz Helder &the Phantoms will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the limited edition garments to the *Fashion Cares (Aids Committee of Toronto) fund. This event also serves as a showcase for the great work of ACT Toronto/ Fashion Cares as well as its on-going relationship with the fashion and music communities. (See more about the designer collaboration.)

The planning for the event started a week ago when I got a message from Greta Constantine telling me I need to get GCified before the show. I certainly wasn’t going to turn that down. I wasn’t sure what I would be wearing but I was very excited to figure that out with Kirk and Stephen. Turns out I was going to wear the Anita dress sample, straight from the factory floor, to the studio and on my body.

The studio is on the fifth floor and there is no elevator. It would almost be a complete death march until you realize that this is good for their curve hugging outfits. So you accepted it, grudgingly until you hit that fifth floor landing and it’s like heaven. I went in for a fitting on Thursday and tried on a similar dress to Anita but it has sleeves. It fit like a dream but that is standard practice in a Greta Constantine piece. I liked the version in sleeves which is called Jocelyn. The dress arrived Friday afternoon so i brought my accessories and makeup to the office and headed to the studio right after work.

After the studio it was off to the Red Bull Gallery Space. I had no idea this place even existed. It’s above the Gap and it’s a nice little venue. My only complaint is that it was too hot with all the people. The patio was quite nice too, lots of wood and atmosphere.

We were treated to a new type of Fritz Helder & The Phantoms. They have finally rounded out their sound with a bassist and drummer. Hurrah! As usual, FH&TP kicked ass. I’m a huge fan as many readers of this blog know. The Max Mad inspired outfits by Greta Constantine were amazing. I got to preview them during my fitting and I was jumping around like a school girl. Belts, leather, goat hair, codpieces, grommets, studding, denim and distressed tshirts oh my. Look at the slideshow, there are tons of shots for you to drool over.

We escaped to the dressing room upstairs halfway through the performance and watched it from above the stage. We missed the dance number but trusty Paul was there to get a bunch of great shots.

As a bonus I have the “Lagerfeld Lady” Dragonette Remix for your enjoyment. Download it here or hit play and enjoy.

The eclectic mix of Toronto’s music and fashion worlds have collided on Dragonette’s remix of Fritz Helder & The Phantom’s “Lagerfeld Lady”. Dragonette, the London-by-way-of-Canada quartet, substituted the band’s signature blend of pulsating synths with a lounge-inspired blend of piano, flutes and sax. It’s as though Lily Allen, Prince, and the Rat Pack made a baby.

images: Photos Taken by Paul Baik for I want – I got www.paulbaikphoto.com